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Exciting developments of Scouting in Myanmar

17. mai 2013

A delegation of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) headed by the Asia Pacific Regional Chairman Dr. Chao Shou-Po is visiting Yangon to strengthen the re-establishment of Scouting in Myanmar. It is nearly after five decades that a WOSM delegation is visiting Myanmar. The delegation had long discussions with the Ministry of Education led by the Deputy Minister His Excellency U Aye Kyu, who was a Scout himself and even attended the meeting in Scout uniform.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation for the visit and for the willingness of the region to support the development of Scouting in Myanmar. He said the Ministry had initiated the re-establishment of Scouting and supported some activities by selecting 18 schools to introduce scouting. Fifty boys and five girls were selected from each school with a Scout Leader. At the same time, three leaders from each region were selected to make Scouting happen.

In March 2013, as many as 200 Scouts underwent a Scout skills training and today there are nearly 2,000 Scouts, both boys and girls, in 20 schools. The Union Minister of Education His Excellency Dr. Mya Aye attended the activities. At the same time the Ministry convened a meeting of old Scouters on 23 January 2013 where as many as 120 Scout Leaders attended. The oldest Scout Leader, Mr. U Henery Pan Aung, is 86 years old.

Scout Leaders highlighted the recent Scout Jamboree held this year where the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of Parliament spoke to the participants. Also Aung san Suu Kyi, who was also a guide leader, spoke to the young scouts.

Currently Scouting activities at national level are being co-ordinated by Mr. U Tin Nyo, a dedicated Scout Leader who is a member of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.

The regional team, on behalf of WOSM, reiterated its commitment to support the development of a national association, and in running a series of Scout Leader training. They valued the extensive support given by the National General Secretary of YMCA Mr. Maung Maung Win and his colleagues including the National President who coordinated the visit and arranged the meetings with the Ministry and the Scout leaders. The team will also meet the State High School senior scouts, the old Scout Leaders, and visit the Ahlone Scout Camp.

Scouting in Myanmar, a former member of WOSM, thrived in the 1950s and early 1960s until its dissolution in 1964.